The 1000HE incorporates Intel's latest Atom spin, the 1.66GHz N280, which is clocked a mere 3.8 per cent higher than the N270 found in past Eee PCs. We'll see shortly if that makes any appreciable difference to the machine's performance.
Standard netbook ports on one side...
Once again, Asus provides four CPU speed settings: Super Performance, High Performance, Auto and Power Saving. Super overclocks the Atom to 1.75GHz, HP runs it at 1.66GHz, Auto varies the speed according to load, from 1.66GHz down, and Power Saving underclocks it to 1.25GHz.
Asus ships the 1000HE with 1GB of DDR 2 memory and a 160GB hard drive. The 945GME chipset provides the graphics - a GMA 950 core. No, there's no sign of the mysterious 1080p-capable 'GN40' chipset said to be shipping with the N280, at least not here - we tried a 1080p video, but it didn't play without dropping frames a-plenty. But the frontside bus does run at 667MHz, up from 533MHz.
Like all recent Eee PCs, the 1000HE has 802.11n Wi-Fi rather than 802.11b/g, and this model comes with Bluetooth too. Other specs are netbook-standard: three USB 2.0 ports - one on the right, two on the left - VGA output, 10/100Mb/s Ethernet, 3.5mm audio jacks, SDHC card reader and 1.3Mp webcam above the screen.
Cosmetically, the 1000HE is largely unchanged from previous 1000-series Eees. It's the same slightly curvy casing design clad in glossy white plastic and with a silver band around the touchpad. The band once more incorporates the mouse buttons. The touchpad is of a decent size and thankfully free of the rough textures that were applied to previous Eee 1000s, though it is matte, not shiny like the rest of the machine.
...and on the other
However, it is a multi-touch device, and while we've never found its pinch-to-zoom gesture useful, we really like using two fingers to scroll through documents.
COMMENTS
Its great once you get Windows off it.
Ran it with Ubuntu till I got bored and decided to try Hacketoshing it.
I have the 1000 HA version running Leopard, I doubled the ram, and swapped out the Etheros wireless card for a 1490 Broadcom. "$10" Its a great mini machine, the battery life is incredible and I don't have to worry about someone spilling coffee in My Macbook Pro.
@James
Remember, that's 5.5 hours running video with the screen on continuously on max - that's a much tougher use of the system than web browsing and word processing, so if you're using the machine for those apps you'll get a lot more battery life than 5.5 hours.
Portability
I would not be would be without my Eee 1000 (20 Gig Linux Flash version).
Remember guys that people do pay for portability and that saying "oh it should be 100 quid cheaper" or "I can get a second had Cray with a 32 inch scree and pull it around on a power cord for half the price" does not cut it.
The power pack is very small and portable.
The only grumble I have is the touch pad buttons are rubbish (to hard to click) and that the Xandros repository's are a small subset and infrequently updated.
bought one in tottenham court Road
..on Sat 14th March. Very pleased with it. bought the white one, as the piano black shows every finger mark.
I'm getting a good 3G speed over bluetooth to my SE-W880i handset - but prefer to use the cable, as it recharges the 'phone, too!
XP is fast starting and it has proved ideal for me, using StarOffice (open office, of course) , Dia (visio type programme from Open source) and an open source project manager.
The video playback of avi files is great, too, on the 16:9 screen.
The power supply (matching white) is quite small - with a cool blue LED. The built in webcam and microphone also works well - tried that out over the home wifi this week - probably won't use it over 3G.
Why XP? because I want to use my 'standard' business utilities without having to faff about with Linux. And I'm getting close to the advertised battery life, too - and I've wrecked enough laptop batteries in my time ;^)
@Stuart Halliday
Ah, stuff your built-in (wired in) 3G -- I'm typing this on a 1000HE that's BT to the big I via my AT&T Tilt's wireless/dongleless/cableless tether. Next phone, next carrier, same story -- must have BT 2.x EDR so my work luggable and my Eee stay connected (whenever I run out of free access WiFi)...
Power pack is 36watt, decent AC cord and very long DC cord. Tiny plug.
Pickedup a Samsung USB-powered TruDirect for US$80 last Saturday, comes with pouch similar material to the non-slip grip Eee zipper bag. Yes, the Eee bag has an inside-out wetsuit feel to it.
Tried a TON of current Netbooks at Microcenter, none of them had a decent keyboard. Tried the HEand bought it. BIG difference, and together with the battery life, the determinator.
Cost? Caught the 5 hour daily special at ZipZoomFly for $349 with free shipping (yes, they sold out in 5 hours).
